Island



(N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. OLDILLON.

v Excavator. No. 239;941. Patented April-12,1881.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Ho Model.)

Patented April 12,1881.

V J. G. DILLON.- Excavator.

N. PETERS, PHOTOJJTNOGRAPHER, WA|NGTON$D C.-

UNITED STATES PATENT O FICE.

JAMES C. DILLON, OF NARRAGANSETT PIER, RHODE ISLAND.

EXCAVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 239,941, dated April 12, 1881.

Application filed May ,7, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Limits 0. DILLON, of NarragansettPier, Washington county, Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Excavators, of which the following is a specification.

I The object of my invention is to provide simple and effective apparatus adapted for excavating peat and other soft earths, and (lepositing the same at a limited distance from the pit or trench.

The nature of the mechanism which I have devised will be apparent from the following description and drawings (in two sheets) annexed, of which- Figure 1 is a plan view. Fig. 2, a vertical section of the mechanismwith the scoop open; and Fig. 3, aside elevation, the scoop closed, and its various positions indicated. Fig. 4is a front view of a portion of the machine adjacent to the pivotal point of the swinging frame which carries the scoop.'

The main frame consists of a rectangular base, A B, with two vertical standards, G O, braced by diagonal timbers D, and crosspieces E. This frame, with the machinery borne upon it, is by preference supported on rollers, F F, so that the whole structure may be rolled along on planks, or otherwise, near the trench.

The excavating apparatus proper consists of a stout and capacious scoop, Gr, preferably made of heavy sheet metal and properly sharpen'ed, so that its cutting-edges may readily penetrate the earth or peat, and a reciprocating swinging frame, H, secured to the scoop as an operating handle or plunger, together with suitable means for raising, lowering, and

manipulating them. The bars H are united by cross-braces, and are secured one to each end of the scoop G, and each bar is formed with a tongue, h, which reciprocates freely in a longitudinal groove formed to correspond therewith in the inner edges of the slides I I, which are pivoted, at K K, to the standards 0 0. As a result of this construction the scoop may be raised and lowered vertically, or may be moved with the bars H H at any desired angle to the horizon. In ordinary excavating with this apparatus required.

The means of raising and lowering the bars and scoop shown are as follows: One edge of each bar H is provided with a rack, L, with which the teeth of a gear-wheel, M, on a horizontal shaft, N, engage, during the vertical movement of the bars H, at which time the parts are heldin proper engagementbyacrossbar or buttons, 0, secured to the uprights O O, and adapted to hold the rack-bars H L in contact with the gears M, and thus to prevent, temporarily, the tilting of the swinging frame on the pivots K K. Power is applied to the shaft N by'cranks, or otherwise, and the scoop raised or lowered. A ratchet and pawl, I, may be employed to prevent rotation, and thus to sustain the load at any desired height.

With heavy working machines operated by steam-power the shaft N will be furnished with reversing-pulleys, driving-belt, shipper, 860.

Light machines for ditching, &c., can be operated by hand without gearing. The body of the scoop G has vertical front, end, and rear walls, the former, Gr, extending downward considerably below the latter as a cuttingblade, and the ends being out on a curve at their lower portions, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The bottomof the scoop G" is formed asa section of a hollow cylinder, and is provided at each end with a wing or arm which covers the end of the scoop, each wing being outside of the end of the body and united thereto by the pivot V.

When the scoop is thrust downward to be filled with muck or sand, the bottom G is opened by a chain or rope, Q, and held so by hand, hook, or otherwise, at its upper end; and when the scoop is filled the part G is swung downward on the pivots V by means of chains R acting on levers S. A Windlass, T, may be both these operations are arranged, as shown, to effect the closing of the bottom of the scoop. The load ofmaterial may then be hoisted by the rack-bars and pinions, as described, and deposited at any point within the range of the machine after disengaging the bar or buttons 0.

When the bars H reach a horizontal position the rack L will again engage with the cogs on the wheels M,= which may then serve to carry the scoop forward and back.

Having thus described my improved 6X02;

vator, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. The supporting-frame with gear-Wheels mounted in fixed bearings, and the scoop havin g astem provided with a cogged rack, in combination with grooved slides pivoted to the standards, and so arranged, as described, that the gears will engage during vertical movementsof the stem, and disengage when the stem is inclined, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. The supporting-frame, the grooved slides pivoted thereto, and the cross-bar or buttons adapted to secure the slides in a vertical position, in combination with the scoop having a stem reciprocating through said slides, substantially as and for the purposesherein set forth.

3. The improved scoop or excavator herein described, consisting of the open rectangular body G G, and the swinging bottom G, in combination with the rack H L and devices for opening and closing said scoop, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

JAMES (J. DILLON.

Witnesses:

J. G. PERRY, H. B. PERRY. 

